Life By Design

How do we protect hope and keep our hearts open when the world feels heavy and uncertain?
In this week’s episode of Life by Design, Dr. Robyne is joined by Dr. James Rouse, a high-performance coach, author, speaker, and functional medicine doctor, for a heart-opening conversation about hope and purposeful living in challenging times.
Together, they explore the science and soul behind hope as a collective remedy, the importance of giving ourselves permission to embrace possibility, and practical strategies for giving cortisol a job and channeling stress into meaningful action. From the transformative practice of “soft eyes” – seeing ourselves and others with compassion – to riding the natural rhythms of our day, Dr. James shares actionable insights to help us find strength, joy, and openness, especially when we’re tempted to turn inward or shrink in the face of adversity.
This conversation is a call to stand audaciously in hope, to care deeply, and to become a disruptive force for good, no matter how dark or loud the world becomes. Whether you’re searching for a dose of hope or practical self-care, you’re invited into a field beyond right and wrong, where you can meet yourself and others with love, openness, and the courage to co-create big, bright futures.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How embracing hope, even in times of adversity and uncertainty, is a science-backed remedy for personal and collective resilience
• What it means to protect hope, and why humanity needs this heroic activity now more than ever
• How to give cortisol a job and finish the stress cycle through high noticing, intentional practices, and meaning-making
• The power of “soft eyes” as a daily practice for self-compassion, trust, and agency
• Why giving yourself permission to care, stay open, and love deeply transforms personal relationships and leadership
• The importance of showing up with authenticity, audacious hope, and collaborative spirit, even when the world asks us to turn down our light
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Dr. Robyne’s new book, I Hope So, is now available! Order your copy today by visiting: https://drrobyne.ca/hope/
Additional Resources:
• Dr. James’s Podcast with wife Dr. Debra Rouse: Love & Life Elevated
• Books by Dr. James Rouse
• Dr. James’s Free Resources
Get in Touch with Dr. James:
• Website: https://www.drjamesrouse.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjamesrouse/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjamesrouse/
Get in Touch with Dr. Robyne:
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Today on Life by Design, Dr. Robyne sits down with entrepreneur, author, and membership expert Stu McLaren for an energizing conversation about the power and potential of building authentic communities.
Stu shares the origins of his passion for helping entrepreneurs create sustainable, engaged membership communities, along with the experiences that shaped his approach. From releasing guilt around money and reframing it as a vehicle for generosity and impact, to offering a clear framework for evaluating membership market potential and attracting your people, Stu brings grounded insights and real-world examples for anyone looking to grow their work with intention.
You’ll hear reflections on the power of asking for help, the role of community in personal and professional resiliency and success, and why serving even one person well can spark momentum and meaningful transformation.
This episode is an invitation to lead with purpose, build spaces where people feel they belong, and remember that the good we put into the world expands when we step up, serve, and aren’t afraid to ask.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why memberships are more than just transactions, and how they become part of your identity
• How defining community values shapes engagement and long-term retention
• Insights on overcoming money guilt and reframing profit as a pathway for generosity and impact
• Three key indicators to know if your idea is membership-worthy
• How to navigate resistance and setbacks, and why the courage to ask unlocks support and possibility
• Why qualitative data, such as personal stories and case studies, can be just as powerful as big numbers when building trust with your audience
• Insights on managing boundaries, prioritizing family, and aligning your work with your core values
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Pre-order your copy of I Hope So (releasing February 10, 2026) by visiting https://drrobyne.ca/hope/
Additional Resources:
• Predictable Profits by Stu McLaren
• Stu’s Podcast: Marketing Your Business
• Stu’s Nonprofit: Village Impact
• Stu on The ONE Thing Podcast with Jay Papasan
Get in Touch with Stu:
• Website: http://membership.io/
• Website: http://stu.me/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stumclaren/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stumclaren/
Get in Touch with Dr. Robyne:
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In today’s episode, Dr. Robyne welcomes Coach Carey, a keynote speaker, life coach, and EDI consultant who thoughtfully weaves lived experience, professional expertise, and deep compassion into everything she shares.
Together, they explore the evolving understanding of resilience and what it means to cultivate self-awareness in a noisy, distracted world. Rather than pushing through at all costs, this conversation reframes resilience as knowing when to rest, reflect, and set boundaries that honor your energy.
Coach Carey shares her transformative “giving from the overflow” philosophy, encouraging us to nurture ourselves first so we can genuinely support others. She also shares practical tools, like her four-question self-inventory, to help you notice patterns, identify what energizes and drains you, and intentionally create more space for what fuels your well-being.
They also speak openly about their lived experiences with ADHD, offering thoughtful insights into attention, distraction, and the importance of finding what truly works for you.
This episode is your permission slip to rediscover joy through playful restoration, honor your limits without apology, and approach growth with compassion and curiosity.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why giving from your overflow is more sustainable than pouring from a full cup
• How honest self-inventory questions can help you track patterns, boost self-awareness, and make meaningful change
• The importance of choosing what you consume (including social media, entertainment, and even conversations) to protect your well-being
• Strategies for refueling your energy
• Why aligning your tasks with your energy (and giving yourself compassion on low days) can transform productivity
• Practical ways to manage ADHD, distractions, and information overwhelm
• Why showing up authentically is its own superpower
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Pre-order your copy of I Hope So (releasing February 10, 2026) by visiting https://drrobyne.ca/hope/
Get in Touch with Coach Carey:
• Website: www.careycoach.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coach.carey/
• LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/coachcarey
Get in Touch with Dr. Robyne:
• Watch episodes on YouTube
• Get Dr. Robyne's book:

In this insightful episode of Life by Design, Dr. Robyne is joined by licensed clinical social worker, author, and business consultant Debra Roberts for a meaningful conversation about communication and the small, intentional shifts that can strengthen relationships at home, at work, and everywhere in between.
They explore how our upbringing shapes the way we express ourselves, the common traps we fall into during difficult conversations, and how a few practical strategies can help us build personal agency and ask for what we need with greater clarity and confidence.
They also discuss concrete, compassionate ways to raise awareness, both in ourselves and others, without confrontation or blame, and offer real-life examples of how subtle changes in language and approach can lead to better outcomes.
This episode is filled with accessible, real-world insights you can put into practice right away, whether you’re working to voice your needs more clearly, set healthier boundaries, or bring more kindness and understanding into your everyday conversations.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How foundational communication skills are often missing from early education, and how this impacts our relationships
• The role of assumptions and narratives in how we approach conversations
• Simple but powerful practices for building self-awareness and personal agency, even in moments of stress or conflict
• Strategies to gently raise others’ self-awareness and strengthen conversations without triggering defensiveness
• The transformative impact of intentionally choosing when (and how) to engage in difficult conversations
• Why the way we speak matters as much as, if not more than, the message itself
• Why changing your communication patterns can prompt positive changes in those around you and help build healthy relationships, both personally and professionally
***
Pre-order your copy of I Hope So (releasing February 10, 2026) by visiting https://drrobyne.ca/hope/
Additional Resources:
• The Relationship Protocol: How to Talk, Defuse and Build Healthier Relationships by Debra Roberts, LCSW
• Get 10% off Debra’s program My Communication Tools by visiting mycommunicationtools.com and using coupon code MCT10RHD at checkout
Get in Touch with Debra:
• Website: https://www.therelationshipprotocol.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debraroberts_lcsw/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-roberts-99b620b3/
Get in Touch with Dr. Robyne:
• Watch episodes on YouTube
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In this episode of Life by Design, Dr. Robyne sits down with entrepreneur, podcast host, and creator Scott D. Clary for a conversation about the realities of success and what it really takes to build something meaningful over time.
Together, they explore the mindset behind the “10-year rule,” a long-term approach that reshapes not only how we pursue goals, but how we navigate discomfort, setbacks, and seasons of imbalance. They discuss the power of designing supportive environments and systems that make consistent action easier, as well as the role of an inner circle that both challenges and champions your growth. Plus, why being willing to start imperfectly, put in the reps, and keep iterating is the key to progress.
Whether you’re building a business, creating content, or developing any habit, this episode offers practical insight into the real “price of entry” for starting something new, and steady encouragement to keep going, especially on the hard days.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Scott’s approach to content creation and communicating ideas in ways that resonate
• The “10-year rule,” and how committing long-term transforms your mindset, expectations, and approach to setbacks
• The difference between motivation and discipline, and how to design your life for follow-through
• Why having a trusted circle that challenges and champions you is critical to leveling up both personally and professionally
• Why there may be seasons where you have to prioritize building over balance
• The power of adapting, iterating, and learning as you go, and how to leverage real feedback and data to sharpen your edge
• Why we’re living in the golden age of entrepreneurship, opportunity, and creativity
***
Pre-order your copy of I Hope So (releasing February 10, 2026) by visiting https://drrobyne.ca/hope/
Additional Resources:
• Scott’s Podcast: Success Story with Scott D. Clary
• If you liked this episode, you might also enjoy: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World with Dorie Clark
Get in Touch with Scott:
• Website: https://www.scottdclary.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/scottdclary
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/scottdclary
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Get in Touch with Dr. Robyne:
• Watch episodes on YouTube
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